Village Buzz - Police Dept. Elimination?

If that's true, then at least one of our Village Board members is truly an idiot. The Germantown Police Department consists of much more than just a few officers on patrol. They have detectives and other investigators involved in many other activities outside of simply patrolling the Village. Who replaces that function? What about the School Resource Officers, that have become a valuable tool in our School District (of which the School District pays 75% of the cost).

To use Jackson as a test case would be pretty ridiculous too, as Jackson is a nice little community, but not really comparable to Germantown.

If we lose our police department we might as well take it a step further and do away with the Village Board and just let the Washington County Supervisors govern the Village.

Please take a look at our year-end reports at GTPD before forming an opinion on this matter. Specifically, note all the community policing (CP),crime prevention, and specialty services GTPD offers to this metro-Milwaukee community of 20,000. We have officers involved in almost every major community organization in Gtown. This all contributes to reducing crime in the village and increasing quality of life. Also, GTPD currently has one of the lowest officers per 1,000 population in the area. Sometimes, we don't have sufficient manpower to respond to calls for service because of other priority calls going on.

I assume if they cut the police department we would lose the SRO's at the GHS and KMS?

Also, Jackson and Pewaukee are not similar circumstances to Gtown. Among other things, Jackson is a community of 6,000 (not bordering Milwaukee) and I believe that Pewaukee had other issues under consideration. Also, don't get caught up with the "cost savings" issues: I am familiar with the proposal for Jackson and there are so many undefined cost variables that come into play that there is actually not a specific cost that can be associated with a Sheriff's contract. Critical incidents requring overtime and extra investigative services cost extra money not built in to the base contract cost.

One last issue, and then I will move on for now. Right now, our Chief of Police lives in the village and is immediately accountable to the village board. (vested interest in community) He is also the emergency government director. You would lose this with a Sheriff's contract. Germantown is quite isolated from West Bend, and you would most likely lose all the local GTPD lobby services you currently have now. (getting accident reports, hunting permits, etc.) Again, I have to stress not to get caught up in the alleged cost savings. When all is said and done, cost is not an issue and you lose local community policing and local control.

As I always say, your local police department is right around the corner. Stop in and have a chat with the Chief or Command Staff if you have any questions. We allow ride-alongs, have a police explorer program, and a citizens police academy (among other things) to help you learn about GTPD and assist to further our mission of "Excellence in Police Service."

Lt Huesemann has certainly provided some great facts about the fantastic resource we have here in Germantown. It would be a shame to replace all of those services with a few sheriff patrols, as our safety would certainly suffer greatly.

One thing that I forgot to mention...if/when you look at our year end reports, the Chief is consistently pointing out the increase every year in critical incidents in Germantown. (probably due to Milwaukee proximity). So far this year, we resolved a pending homicide investigation, investigated a hazadarous materials incident at WalMart involving multiple agencies, discovered unidentified human remains near Maple Road, investigated multiple explosives incidents with ATF, and investigated and armed robbery at a gas station linked to at least 5 other robberies in SE Wisconsin. While very safe, Germantown is still an active metro community.

From our 2008 year end report, the 3 detectives that I supervise investigated over 350 new cases in 2008. Financial crimes are also taking up a large portion of our investigative resources. Nothing against the Sheriff's Department (I have a lot of respect for them), but there's no way that they could absorb our investigative caseload in their detective bureau without major additional cost to the village. We are being kept very busy with our 3 detectives and also officers doing follow up during their free time.

I will say that while I consider Germantown to be a safe community I personally have never had ANY assistance or help from ANY Germantown Officer. When I have had contact with the officers they have been helpful and courtious, maybe it's because I don't see the "other" activities that are performed. When I say other I mean the organizations these police belong to and the crime reduced as a result. The help I have received has come from parameds and temp fire-men that have come to my aide. Look at the current disposition of the fire department and then look at our police department, in my opinion the fire department actually helps the citizens more. Just my take. Thank you Lt. for your input, I feel sorry that the officers are put in this prediciment and wish the best for everyone at the department.

Common, once again a really weird take on an issue.

EMT's respond to incidents, they don't really have a hand in preventing people from having health emergencies or accidents. Police Officers on the other hand, patrol the community, providing a safety tool for our streets and homes. In addition to their other crime prevention and enforcement activities as explained by Lt. Huesemann.

You really should change your profile name to "CluelessInGermantown".

Even though some residents have never needed any help from GTPD yet, I think you would want as many officers as possible coming to your house as quickly as possible if you dialed 911 for a burglary in progress or for some other disturbance or crisis that needed to be resolved. I don't think you would want backup deputies coming all the way from West Bend, Richfield, Polk, Kewaskum, who are usually tied up with their own duties in those areas. Again, keep in mind where Germantown is located in Washington County. We are a bit isolated in the far SE corner. Anyhow, when you need GTPD (and many residents do) we arrive on scene very quickly with multiple officers. BTW, our fire department does a great job too.

Concerned - How is my take "weird". I was always taught that police officers were to protect and serve. I have never been "served" by the GTPD. I stated that I do feel "protected". Maybe I should change my name, but if so, you should probably change yours to "IQlessInGermantown"

To those that do not see all that the GTPD does for this community on a day to day basis or have not had any contact with them, take up the Lt. on his offer to sit down and chat, or do a ride-along, or sign up for the Citizens Police Academy. These are great resources to get educated on all that is involved in keeping this community safe.

You said "in my opinion the fire department helps citizens more".

IQ? I'd be surprised if you even knew what that stands for. Maybe we can conjure up some new government program to help you.

I think that I've used up my blogging allowance for the day, and I have other priority things to do during my off-duty time. Just let me say in closing that it was stated at the last board meeting that the trustees have not made any formal motions on this topic or taken any formal action or formal discussion. I think the issue in the forefront is wages. I am confident that this village will pull through these tough economic times. We have very resilient employees and resilient citizens.
Take care Gtown -Dave

Let's keep this issue in perspective. Al knows of ONE Village Board member who mentioned this as a "potential" cost cutting option. According to Lt. Hueseman it was stated at the last board meeting that the trustees HAVE NOT made any formal motions on this topic or taken any formal action or formal discussion. So I hope we don't hear the usual Board bashing comments from former trustees and candidates who lost elections to the present trustees. Tthere is no issue here.

My parents live in an area just outside Germantown where the Sheriff patrols. They never see squad cars in their subdivision and no specialty police services like Germantown. It takes deputies very long times to respond to calls. A deputy once said that they are stretched very thin. I always see Germantown Police in the subdivisions and businesses and have used their crime prevention ofcr to help with a neighborhood problem. SROs in both GTHS and KMS are a big bonus too along with that sneaky unmanned traffic car they park around the village in speeding hot spots. Let's not ruin the good thing we already have.

I agree with gtreader that this whole thing is probably not an issue. But we need to get the info on the table about how good a job our pd does. I do disagree with gtreader about the Board bashing comments. Last I checked, we have freedom of speech and the PATRIOTic duty to voice our displeasure whenever we want. If elected officials don't want us to voice our opinion, then I think we have a dictatorship on our hands. I say speak your mind and let your voice be heard.

GTPD makes a much bigger impact than simple response to need calls. How do you measure prevention in dollars?

I think there's a difference between criticizing Village Board members and "bashing" them, and so far, I haven't seen any real bashing.

Anyone who pays attention to Village politics has to scratch their head about where these guys come up with some of their ideas, and if that translates to "bashing", then call me a basher. In an earlier post I did say that at least one of them must be an idiot if he suggests eliminating the GPD, and I stand by that assessment because only an idiot would propose such a plan.

Patriat.....you are correct. Certainly we have the right to to express our opinions on issues and displeasure with elected officials decisions. What I'm referring to constant personal attacks attempting discredit motive , ridicule intellect or question integrety of our current trustees, even before a decision is made. There seems to be so much of it since the last few election cycles. There are legitimate Village issues to be discussed. Attacking those who actually have to act on these issues is pointless.

"Bashing" is just a term that politicians use to get sympathy and divert attention from their own behavior when they do something wrong. They try to put the blame on their constituents for voicing their opinions. Call it what you want, but you can't take away freedom of speech. At least one trustee (AZ) is way out of line here and has a long history of poor judgement when it comes to public safety and other village issues. He insults his constituents when they voice their opinions during meetings. I am finally hearing talk in his district about recall efforts. I hope the talk is acted on.

I guess that I now owe an apology for "bashing". So, for those of you in public office who can't handle criticism, I'm sorry for hurting your tender feelings, and I'm sorry that I don't agree with everything you do. Just so I can also be accused of ridiculing intellect, for those of you in public office who can't recognize sarcasm, this really isn't an apology, so deal with it.

Common, just how would you like them to serve you? Please tell us! Would you like them to come open your car door when you arrive at a store in the village?? How about clean your car off in the winter?? Seriously, you have no clue. Your opinion of the GTPD doesn't matter anyway, since you have already stated that you see them as a joke! Take your usless comments elswhere...

Patriot..... Thanks for confirming the point of my first comment. Todays blog concerns a topic for which the trustees have not made any formal motions or taken any action or had any formal discussion. I merely expressed a hope that comments would pertain to the issue and not turn into the usual board bashing. Your latest comment which include wild accusations and personal attacts an a trustee by name, doesn't even mention the origional topic of discussion. Thank you

Seriously GTT? While it pleases me to no end to get under the conservatives skin on this column I will say a few things in response.
One, this is a blog, I am a liberal, you are a conservative, my comments are only useless if you have a closed mind. I realize you're probably a gun-toting, bible thumping, gay-hating, racist but please, I read the garbage that comes out of your head. I don't come here for a fight, I come here to voice an alternate opinion that around 60% of the country agrees with me on.
Second, allow me to highlight this to assist your reading comprehension level. I define serving to be the GTPD to HELP me in a DIRECT way. When I call for assistance because I'm, the police should HELP me, not stand there, ask me what happened, see me writhing in pain and wait for the paramedics to show up.

You are so very predictable Common, once again when you have to defend your views you cannot do it without lowering yourself to name calling and personal attacks like a typical lib.. To address your tirade about me.... Gun toting...yes it is my right by the 2nd amendment, so I would suggest not trying to break into my home while I am there, I will defend my family if necessary, bible thumping..... nope, do I believe in God? You bet, but I don't push my religious views onto anyone. Gay hating, nope not at all, but nice try on your part. Racist, nope again, I have many friends of all races, but you probably won’t believe that anyway. As for your belief that 60% of the country agrees with you, you might want to open your eyes and realize that that is not the case anymore it might be in your own little world between your ears. It may have been when your savior Obama was voted into office, but now that everyone has realize what a fraud this guy is, the amount of the country that agrees with you is well below 60%.
As for you calling the PD when you are hurt, they can only do so much, they are not trained for every injury, and besides that, no one should even touch you unless it is clear what the injury is and how it occurred. They carry a limited amount of medical gear besides.
So now, go ahead and keep trying to get under my skin, that is the only reason you post here anyway. You don’t by the way, you amuse me with your naïve thinking and contradicting.

I define serving to be the GPD helping the community, not merely an individual. They do not have to act directly to perform their service either.

Well over 60% of the adult population in this country is likely to agree that the work of a police officer is rarely to serve a selfish individual. The arrest of the person who stole my neighbors car does not benefit me, other than it might mean that mine is less likely to be stolen. Investigating and eventually solving a 10 year old homicide does nothing for me other than putting a dangerous man away. When a girl is molested inside the school and a police officer investigates the allegations, there is no service to me but it makes children safer.

Germantown used to be a place where there was little or no sense of "me". That has changed, and that's shameful.

I, for one, am thankful for a police chief and entire department who look out for the community. Even the dog is unselfish: maybe certain people should take a lesson from him.

Common and GTT - both of your posts show exactly what is wrong with what passes as political debate these days. Common - I too am a liberal, but to say you don't come here for a fight after saying GTT is a gun-totting, gay-bashing blah blah blah is idiotic. And GTT - what is a "typical lib"? I'm sure I am no more your definition of a "typical lib" as you are all the things Common called you.